Serving the Injured since 1986

$5.7 Million awarded to a man who became a functioning quadriplegic after being struck by a car while out walking

This year we represented a family whose father was catastrophically injured by a vehicle while walking. The father has needed 24/7 care ever since the accident. This completely changed the lives of his wife and children, as they were faced with spending much of their free time taking care of him. While being struck as a pedestrian may seem like an open and shut case, there are many obstacles to recovery. If there is the slightest doubt whether the pedestrian was inside the crosswalk, or entered the roadway abruptly, or could have helped avoid the collision, the insurance company will work to limit the driver’s responsibility. Knowing that an entire family has been devastated by their father’s serious injuries brings out our fighting instincts. Fortunately, our immediate investigation proved the driver had improperly cut the corner and was totally responsible. A big concern in this case was whether or not there was adequate insurance to help pay for such catastrophic losses. Here, the driver had an auto liability policy, but it was nowhere near large enough. Fortunately, our thorough investigation turned up a second, multi-million-dollar umbrella policy. Additionally, we found the victim’s son-in-law had an applicable underinsured motorist policy. This was a big part of our effort. We established nearly $6 million in total coverage. With so much at stake, insurance companies will deny, delay and fight to shortchange the victim’s recovery. To win, we must make insurance companies fearful we will force them into court and obtain a huge verdict. We immediately gathered all the available medical records and bills. We hired a medical consultant to determine the father’s lifetime care costs. We got construction estimates for needed modifications to the family home. Additionally, we used a videographer to help demonstrate with devastating effect, how the father’s life had been reduced to virtually no activity. It also showed how all his family members were emotionally traumatized and completely exhausted by the daily duties of caring for a erson who has suddenly become functionally quadriplegic. Our hard work resulted in success for our client when the insurance companies quickly offered up every penny of all three insurance policies, less than nine months after the accident. With medical bills mounting, we still had work to do to prevent the settlement from being consumed by medical bills that were over $1 million and still growing. Along the way we advised the family how to access insurance and government programs. We also negotiated to greatly reduce medical liens. After the settlement we also helped the family sign up for new medical coverage. We are honored to have worked for this family in need, and are grateful we were able to obtain such quick and excellent results for them. Every case requires an aggressive law firm to ensure the injured person and their family is fully compensated. If you’ve been injured by a car while walking, you should hire a personal injury attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents immediately.

Achieving Practice Growth and Personal Fulfillment published in the King County Bar Bulletin .

2019

Maritime Law published in La Raza

2015

Exploring a 3rd party claim after a Workes' Comp Injury published in La Raza

2015